Illinois Fighting Illini

IlliniSky, I guess we have to agree to disagree on this one. I think Brad has done a good job. Under his leadership, Illinois has gone to three Sweet 16s and one NCAA team final. Also, he clearly helped develop Anderson and DeHeart's game. Nevelo has also really improved at Illinois. Obviously, Craig Tiley did a great job at Illinois but I hope you remember where the program was before Tiley. Remember the old saying about coaching when it comes to replacing a legend. Just because he has not reached Tiley's success does not mean he is a terrible coach. I suspect if everyone gets healthy, they will make the Sweet 16 and then it really depends on the draw.

have you seen the illini tennis complex (atkins center) lately? it is very nice! they've done alot of work on it and they've built a number (8 i think) brand new lighted hardcourts complete with lighted scoreboards on the east side of the building. in other sports (especially football) a new stadium or facility ratchets up the pressure to win. do you think this may increase the pressure to notch more wins?

have you seen the illini tennis complex (atkins center) lately? it is very nice! they've done alot of work on it and they've built a number (8 i think) brand new lighted hardcourts complete with lighted scoreboards on the east side of the building. in other sports (especially football) a new stadium or facility ratchets up the pressure to win. do you think this may increase the pressure to notch more wins?

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That's another thing. We have this great complex now and we're hosting the NCAA Championships in 2013. And recruiting is STILL slow. What is Dancer doing?!

They actually have a good recruiting class for this year. Guignon is a blue-chip and Kopinski and Scholnick are solid 5 stars. I think they also have a shot Evan Song. Next year they already have two verbals from some good players and I know they will go after Michael Redlicki. I think many coaches at top schools would love to have the recruits Illinois is bringing in. Also, Brad in particular was very helpful in Illinois getting the donation that led to the construction of the new facility. I think kudos should go to Gunther, Brad and Michelle Dasso in leading to that. Also, without the input of the two coaches, Illinois does not get the NCAA Championships.

They actually have a good recruiting class for this year. Guignon is a blue-chip and Kopinski and Scholnick are solid 5 stars. I think they also have a shot Evan Song. Next year they already have two verbals from some good players and I know they will go after Michael Redlicki. I think many coaches at top schools would love to have the recruits Illinois is bringing in. Also, Brad in particular was very helpful in Illinois getting the donation that led to the construction of the new facility. I think kudos should go to Gunther, Brad and Michelle Dasso in leading to that. Also, without the input of the two coaches, Illinois does not get the NCAA Championships.

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Guignon just barely made blue-chip this spring. He is moving up though. Kopinski is around No. 50. I don't see Scholnick listed on Illinois' list anymore so I have been wondering if he changed his mind. I will be very surprised if they get Song.

IlliniSky, you forgot to rip him for the fact that the Illini can't win the doubles point if their life depended on it. This has been going on for quite a while now. How many times have they dropped all three doubles (and to much weaker teams), then had to run out the singles ??

IlliniSky, you forgot to rip him for the fact that the Illini can't win the doubles point if their life depended on it. This has been going on for quite a while now. How many times have they dropped all three doubles (and to much weaker teams), then had to run out the singles ??

maybe the tennis team is doing what the basketball team was accused of doing this year: playing down to their opponent's level. case in point: the men's tennis team played well beating higher ranked florida, duke and kentucky while losing to tx a&m and notre dame, two teams they beat earlier this year. if you say that "no, they lost to these teams because of injuries", then does that hint at a lack of team depth to you?

maybe the tennis team is doing what the basketball team was accused of doing this year: playing down to their opponent's level. case in point: the men's tennis team played well beating higher ranked florida, duke and kentucky while losing to tx a&m and notre dame, two teams they beat earlier this year. if you say that "no, they lost to these teams because of injuries", then does that hint at a lack of team depth to you?

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No team survives injuries to their top two players. This is not football, with 85 scholarships and only 22 positions on the field. The old American sports arguments about how you just need to have depth, so that injuries don't affect you too much, simply do not apply to men's college tennis. The top two guys might take up anywhere from 25% to 40% of the scholarship money. So, if a football team had 30 scholarship players injured, we stop staying that the coach should have recruited enough depth to handle it, and we start saying that the football team has had really bad luck with injuries and there is no way they can beat good teams any more.

Let's see a healthy Illinois play Ohio State minus Blaz Rola and Chase Buchanan and see what happens. Let's see USC play without Steve Johnson and Jaak Poldma, Tennessee play without J.P. Smith and Rhyne Williams, etc.

No team survives injuries to their top two players. This is not football, with 85 scholarships and only 22 positions on the field. The old American sports arguments about how you just need to have depth, so that injuries don't affect you too much, simply do not apply to men's college tennis. The top two guys might take up anywhere from 25% to 40% of the scholarship money. So, if a football team had 30 scholarship players injured, we stop staying that the coach should have recruited enough depth to handle it, and we start saying that the football team has had really bad luck with injuries and there is no way they can beat good teams any more.

Let's see a healthy Illinois play Ohio State minus Blaz Rola and Chase Buchanan and see what happens. Let's see USC play without Steve Johnson and Jaak Poldma, Tennessee play without J.P. Smith and Rhyne Williams, etc.

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As far as the loosier loss goes, We had Nevolo back. So our line-up consists of

Nevolo #9
Souza #61
Hamui #95
Kalmanovich
Hoh
Roth / Abdelnour

That line up has no excuse whatsoever to lose to a team like the loosiers. Just bad coaching and bad play.

Indiana is 18-4 and undefeated so far in conference play. They have a good line-up. I don't know your playing or coaching experience but one thing I have learned is that if you have an off-day, all but the top five teams can lose a match.

Indiana is 18-4 and undefeated so far in conference play. They have a good line-up. I don't know your playing or coaching experience but one thing I have learned is that if you have an off-day, all but the top five teams can lose a match.

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Yeah, they defnitely had an off day. You got that right.

And you need to look at their schedule before you get too impressed by their 18-4 record. They played Kentucky close and beat an over-ranked Illinois and Michigan team. I don't know if you ever look at the team's opponents before being impressed by their record but it helps to know if that team is really good or not.

I have actually seen them play so I have firsthand knowledge on that team. I have seen Illinois and most of the players in the conference play. So I know what I am talking about. Kentucky and Michigan are good teams. They also beat a good Arizona team. I think you should learn to respect every opponent. Indiana is a perfect example of a team that has used international players to improve their team. The freshman from Sweden is very good. The two sophomores have also improved a lot. If you have seen them play you would agree that they have a good team.

I have actually seen them play so I have firsthand knowledge on that team. I have seen Illinois and most of the players in the conference play. So I know what I am talking about. Kentucky and Michigan are good teams. They also beat a good Arizona team. I think you should learn to respect every opponent. Indiana is a perfect example of a team that has used international players to improve their team. The freshman from Sweden is very good. The two sophomores have also improved a lot. If you have seen them play you would agree that they have a good team.

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So you're a loosier fan. Ok.

No matter how much praise you heap on the loosiers, you are not going to convince me that Illinois did not totally and completely cough up a hairball in losing to that team. It was a pathetic performance and one of their worse losses in a long time.

You can respect them but at the same time let it be known it's unacceptable to lose to them. There was a time when losing to Maryland for Clemson was unheard of and an embrassment, but because our program is in the dumps at the momentits not so shocking.

I agree it was a bad loss but you don't fire the coach because of the loss. Sometimes you have to tip your hat to the other team. Indiana beat Illinois with essentially their full line-up. Obviously KU was out but he has missed the last month so give the other team credit because they outplayed Illinois that day. Also recognize that they are an improving team. It doesn't mean that if they played again that Illinois would not win. Illinois has lost to Michigan and Wisconsin in the regular season and then beaten them in the Big Ten tournament. It is a long season, so before you call on firing a coach let the season play out.

I agree it was a bad loss but you don't fire the coach because of the loss. Sometimes you have to tip your hat to the other team. Indiana beat Illinois with essentially their full line-up. Obviously KU was out but he has missed the last month so give the other team credit because they outplayed Illinois that day. Also recognize that they are an improving team. It doesn't mean that if they played again that Illinois would not win. Illinois has lost to Michigan and Wisconsin in the regular season and then beaten them in the Big Ten tournament. It is a long season, so before you call on firing a coach let the season play out.

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At this rate, we are in danger of hosting the 2013 championships and not even be in it. That would be the ultimate embarrassment.

And you can talk until you're blue in the face about respecting an opponent but from my own past experiences, the loosiers will never get any respect from me.

Why does a win feel like a loss? The Illini beat the Wildcats today 4-3 at home. This team is unranked and we were playing at home today. If Kalmanovich hadn't come back after losing the first set, we would have been looking at another disastrous loss. KU Singh was back suddenly but dropped the first set and put up a fight in the second but went down in traight sets. I wish he could have fought a third set but maybe it's for the better since he is coming back from injury. Hamui has completely lost it. I guess he is satisfied with beating his former school and needs to find new motivation. He'll probably loss any ranking that he has left.

This team is floudering. Dancer doesn't seem to know what order to play the players and KU Singh's inconsistent status is wearing thin. He needs to be healthy or sit it out. Of course we don't know exactly what his status is because the people at Illinois never tell their fans anything.

Illinois will be doing good to finish third in the Big Ten this year. We haven't finished lower than 2nd since 1994-95. If we are struggling to beat Northwestern 4-3 AT HOME, then Michigan and Wisconsin have a very good chance to beat us. I felt that Illinois was on it's way down when Wisconsin beat us at home in the NCAA tourney last year, and we continue our descent this year.

In a battle of the only two B1G teams to win the tennis national championship, Illinois(2003) won a narrow one today at Michigan(1957). KU Singh made a surprise appearance in the doubles (which he lost), but Illnois won two close matches to take the doubles point. In the singles, Nevolo and Kalmanovich lost easily in straight sets. Both Singh and Hoh escaped match points against their opponents to give Illinois the victory. It's probably too late to finish in second place in the B1G (there's no way the loosiers are going to lose to the nitts) but maybe with KU Singh's return, they can make a run in the B1G Championships. MSU tomorrow.

The Illini won the last road trip of the regular season by defeating Michigan State 5-2 on Sunday. They dropped the doubles point but came back to win 5 of the 6 singles matches to take the win. They finish the regular season at home next weekend at home with No. 24 Minnesota on Friday and No. 73 Wisconsin on Sunday.

If Singh gradually gets healthy by the time the NCAA tourney starts, then Illinois will be an upset threat to a lot of teams and should make the final 16. At #17 with Pepperdine not participating, they are already on track to host a regional.

If Singh gradually gets healthy by the time the NCAA tourney starts, then Illinois will be an upset threat to a lot of teams and should make the final 16. At #17 with Pepperdine not participating, they are already on track to host a regional.

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Hes played three three-set matches since he has returned and he is even playing doubles now. It seems to be a big if with him, but if he can get more match play, he will defnitely be a plus. I was ready to write him off for the year but he's starting to come back.

As far as Illinois making the final 16, that's still a big question. They've struggled against Iowa and Northwestern and lost to the loosiers this year. You never know how they will show up from day to day. I was a bit worried after they dropped the doubles today against the Spartans but they rebounded nicely. At full strength, they can definitely be a top 16 team or better, but their lack mental strength it seems at times.

They've got a tough match with Minnesota on Friday so we'll see how well they do.

Hes played three three-set matches since he has returned and he is even playing doubles now. It seems to be a big if with him, but if he can get more match play, he will defnitely be a plus. I was ready to write him off for the year but he's starting to come back.

As far as Illinois making the final 16, that's still a big question. They've struggled against Iowa and Northwestern and lost to the loosiers this year. You never know how they will show up from day to day. I was a bit worried after they dropped the doubles today against the Spartans but they rebounded nicely. At full strength, they can definitely be a top 16 team or better, but their lack mental strength it seems at times.

They've got a tough match with Minnesota on Friday so we'll see how well they do.

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Minnesota lost its 1st or 2nd best player (Sebastian Gallego) to injury which was a bitter pill to swallow during a tough, close loss to Indiana. Don't know if he will be back in time but if not, Illinois should have the upper hand at home.

Meanwhile Indiana got routed by Louisville. The top 3 got slammed. 23 was a little to high for Indiana anyway

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The loosiers still have B1G No. 2 locked up. There's no way they are going to lose to the Nitts. Of course I'll be rooting for that to happen but it probably won't. I have my doubts about the Minnesota match anyway. The Illini could easily lose that one.

Indiana have over performed in many big 10 games, Id say Ill Annoy will beat them at the big 10 tournament although I cant see anyone but an ohio state being a threat at the ncaas.

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That brain fart they had against the loosiers is just sickening. If there's one team I did not want them to lose to, it was them. Dancer really used up all of his savings with that one. He has A LOT to make up for it. The Buckeyes have no rivals in the Big Ten at the moment. They'll probably wipe out the loosiers 7-0 and then the same to whoever they meet in the B1G final. I don't see them beating Virginia, USC or Tennessee though.

Meanwhile Indiana got routed by Louisville. The top 3 got slammed. 23 was a little to high for Indiana anyway

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I believe Indiana was missing their #1 Jeremy Langer for that match. Some of the lower singles matches went to three sets. They probably wouldn't have beaten Louisville, but the match would have been closer if Indiana was at full strength.

Yea everyone moved up a spot and the Swedish freshman had some weird meltdown at #3. Bad day at the office really, I think Indiana are over achieving but would expect them to compete much more closely with Louisville.

The April 19 rankings are out and Illinois slips yet another notch to No. 18. They will not even host the NCAA Regionals at this rate. Minnesota/Wisconsin are must wins and they need a runner-up finish in the B1G Tourney. The Dancer Era continues to wash away any resemblance of the Tiley Years.

on a side note, i was at the atkins center on sat. morning and the women's team rolled in around noon and they were all p!$$ed off after getting the team bagel from michigan. any thoughts on their season?

on a side note, i was at the atkins center on sat. morning and the women's team rolled in around noon and they were all p!$$ed off after getting the team bagel from michigan. any thoughts on their season?

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I really don't pay all that much attention to women's tennis, but the Illinois women's team are unranked and 9-10 overall, 5-3 B1G. Not sure why they'd be so pissed. Michigan women are ranked No. 10 in the country while they have no ranking.

In regards to the women's team, they were ranked top 30 at the beginning of the year and have some good young players. Last week they lost a hard fought 5-2 match at Northwestern and expected to show better against Michigan. In my opinion, when you are dependent on freshmen and sophomores you can really have some ups and downs. I know Michelle was expecting a better year for the team but I expect they will have a better year next year. I still hold out hope that they can finish top four at the conference tournament and squeeze into the NCAAs. Unfortunately, I didn't make it down there last weekend but I hope to make it to the womens match at Wisconsin this weekend.

They play in just a few minutes to decide 3rd place in the Big Ten. Gallego is back from injury and in the lineup for The Golden Gophers so this should be a very close match. Most likely, whoever wins the doubles point wins the day.